AUGUST 9-11,2013 Page 1 of 10
NHLBCC 2013 August 9-11, 2013 Savannah, GA On behalf of the members of The Atlanta Flames Fan Club, we would like to invite y all to join us for the 43 rd Annual National Hockey League Booster Club Convention in Savannah, Georgia. About Savannah Beautiful Savannah, Georgia is known as The Hostess City. It s Southern charm and easy lifestyle appeals to visitors from all over the globe. It is a major Atlantic seaport and hosted the sailing events of the 1996 Atlanta Summer Olympic Games. This picturesque town is a highly desired filming location for many movie companies. Visitors can expect to find a bounty of restaurants, nightlife, art and shops for every taste. The natural beauty of the area draws lovers of nature and ecology to wander her tree-lined streets where many styles of architecture are on prominent display. Summer in Savannah is hot and humid, but with a little advance planning for a cool wardrobe, drinking plenty of water and taking advantage of the shady squares, you will find the draw of the sights too good to pass up. Bring your walking shoes as we are sure you will want to wander throughout the historic district for a close look at all the beautiful things Savannah has to offer. Convention Info Your registration fee covers your hotel for Friday and Saturday nights, dinner Friday and Saturday, breakfast Saturday and Sunday, the annual meeting on Saturday morning, your arrival package and use of the hospitality rooms during posted hours. Pre-convention activities will include transportation, admission fees, meals (when indicated), and driver gratuities. All trips will be filled by reservation on a first-come, first-served basis. We cannot guarantee refunds on any of the pre-convention trips unless we can find a replacement to fill the spot. If not, any refund will be based on monies recovered from the attractions; however, the price of the bus will be passed onto the person who did not attend the trip. All trips will leave at the posted times, and if you miss the bus, we will not delay the trip for you. You will be responsible for your return trip to the hotel, should you miss a bus returning to the hotel. If there is an increase in a trip due to rising fuel costs, we reserve the right to charge an additional amount to cover those costs. ID badge must be worn at all times while attending any NHLBCC function, including visits to the hospitality rooms during posted hours. The legal drinking age in the state of Georgia is 21. Per NHLBCC bylaws, no one younger than that age will be permitted in a hospitality room while alcohol is being consumed. Updated information on the 2013 Convention and downloadable forms will be available on the Atlanta Flames Fan Club website at atlantaflamesfanclub.org. The appropriate email and Facebook groups will also be notified of any news. Please contact us with any questions: Cathi Flanagan (770) 823-9675 cathi.flanagan@gmail.com or Bev Gibbs (404) 713-8739 boatdrinkbev@gmail.com Page 2 of 10
Our Home for Convention Weekend Hilton Savannah DeSoto Hotel 15 E. Liberty St. Savannah, GA 31401 (912) 232-9000 Website: www.desotohilton.com Historic Savannah hotels began with the original DeSoto Hotel. Still rich in history and culture, the recentlyrenovated hotel is situated downtown in the heart of Savannah's Historic District among the dining, shopping, and theater districts, and just a short stroll to River Street, City Market and Forsyth Park. The hotel is about 20 minutes from Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport. The Hilton Savannah DeSoto Hotel offers the finest deluxe guest rooms with either one king-size bed or two double beds. All rooms feature scenic views of Savannah s historic skyline, hair dryers, irons and ironing boards, complimentary coffee daily with coffee makers, newspaper, electronic lock entry system and valet services. Complimentary wireless Internet in guestrooms and lobby Lions Den lounge The DeSoto Grille featuring Southern cuisine Beulah's for fresh to-go items and Starbucks coffee Complimentary onsite workout facility Business center Rooftop swimming pool with Tiki bar and cabanas. Easy walking distance to many restaurants, attractions, historical sites and shops All conventioneers wearing their badge will be given a 20% discount on food ordered in the Desoto Grille. The hotel, as all of Savannah, observes the To-Go Cup ordinance, in which alcoholic beverages may be transported in public places as long as they are in a regulation plastic cup. Parking is by valet only as mandated by city ordinances, at a price of $12 per day. If you require a handicap access room, please note that on your registration form when sending your first deposit, so we can let the hotel know about your request as early as possible. Local transportation is available right at the hotel. The free Dot Shuttle stops right across the street. Many trolley tours have a stop within a block of the hotel. Taxi cabs are easily obtainable at the front door. Bicycles are available for rental from companies who will deliver to the hotel. However, we think you will find Savannah to be an extremely pedestrian-friendly city and will want to take advantage of the opportunity to explore the city on foot. There is so much to see and do in Savannah that we can t cover it all. We encourage you to spend your free time indulging your personal interests. Visit savannahvisit.com for an extensive list of tours and attractions.the concierge desk in the hotel lobby is available 7 days a week to help you plan your outings, book tours, buy tickets and make restaurant reservations. We will also have an information table in the registration room/ hospitality suite to assist you in planning a little exploring on your own. Page 3 of 10
Transportation to Savannah Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport (SAV) is about 10 miles from the Hilton. The hotel does not a have its own shuttle service. The K Shuttle public shuttle company is currently priced at $30 round trip and must be booked through their website kshuttle.com. Taxi fare is currently approximately $20 one way. If you wish to rent a car, there are plenty of rental cars available at the airport. Any special assistance at the airport can be arranged with us in advance. Alternative airports are located at Charleston, SC and Jacksonville, FL (both approximately a 2 hour drive from Savannah) and Atlanta, GA (approximately a 4 hour drive). As of this printing, we are unaware of any shuttle services available from these locations, but car rental companies are plentiful. Savannah s Amtrak station is on the Palmetto line which travels all the way down the east coast. The station is approximately four miles from our hotel. The Greyhound bus station is approximately 1.5 miles from our hotel. If you will be arriving by either of these modes of transportation, please make arrangements with us for pickup as ground transportation at these locations can be problematic. Most major car rental companies are located at the airport; however, we think you will find a need for a vehicle very small once you have arrived. Links to transportation information: Savannah/Hilton Head international Airport: savannahairport.com Airport Shuttle: kshuttle.com Amtrak trains: amtrak.com/silver-service-palmetto-train Greyhound Bus: greyhound.com Driving to Savannah From Interstate I-95 north or south bound: exit at 99A (I-16 east), follow to the end where it feeds into Montgomery Street. At the first stop light turn right onto Liberty Street. Follow for 5 blocks to the Hilton which will be on your right hand side. Pull up to our main entry canopy and a valet will assist you. Page 4 of 10
CONVENTION PACKAGE COSTS The convention package prices are as follows and include hotel accommodations for Friday and Saturday nights, dinner/dance on Friday, dinner/dance on Saturday, and breakfast on Saturday and Sunday mornings. Single $ 495 per person (US Funds) Double $ 390 per person (US Funds) Triple: $ 350 per person (US Funds) (No quad rooms will be available.) Children under 16, staying with parents: $175 per child (US Funds) EXTRA NIGHTS The extra room rate is $109 plus tax per night, for stays beginning Sunday (8/4) through Thursday (8/8) and Sunday (8/11). Please reserve your room early through your registration form so we can make sure of availability. Instructions for guaranteeing room reservation for early arrivals or those staying over a day or two will be made available at a later date. The current sales and room tax rate is 13%. CANCELLATIONS AND REFUNDS We understand unforeseen circumstances might prevent you from attending at the last minute. We cannot guarantee refunds for cancellations. All refund requests will be considered based on what funds are recoverable from the hotel or events, if any. Your original deposit and the cost of the trips that we cannot recover will not be refundable. Please be sure to notify us as soon as you know, so we can try to fill the spot. We will let you know after the convention about your refund. PAYMENT SCHEDULE First Payment: $100 deposit due: 10/1/2012 Second Payment: $100 payment due: 12/1/2012 Third Payment: $100 plus preconvention trips due: 3/1/2013 Fourth Payment: Remaining balance due: 5/1/2013 Please send your payment and forms to your club convention coordinator, who in turn will send us one payment check from the club account along with the forms. All amounts due are in U.S. funds. Coordinators: Please make all club checks payable to: NHLBCC ATLANTA. Mail to: Cathi Flanagan NHLBCC Registration 301 Hightower Drive Fayetteville GA 30215 Page 5 of 10
PRE-CONVENTION ACTIVITIES Tour prices are still in negotiations, but we wanted to give you a schedule now to assist you in planning your arrival date. We will publish the prices as soon as possible. Tuesday, Aug. 6 Charleston, South Carolina Day Trip All Day Tour Charleston has a rich history as a major harbor city. The tour will include plenty of time to wander the historic district; stroll along the seawall at the Battery, where you can view both the harbor and Fort Sumter; visit the historic City Market and visit Patriot Point, home to a number of retired US military vessels, including the USS Yorktown aircraft carrier. Lunch will be on your own. Water will be provided on the bus. (2 hour bus ride each way) Please wear comfortable shoes as you can expect considerable walking. We will be back in time for those who want to also do the late evening Ghost tour. Ghost and Gravestones Trolley Tour Late evening Tour Savannah is the most haunted city in America. Ride the haunted trolley through the streets of the historic district in the dark of the evening, while a guide tells stories of famous ghosts and strange occurrences around town. Tour includes the Colonial Cemetery which has the reputation for being the most haunted cemetery in the country and a haunted shipping chandlery. Come and see if you can spot one of the ghostly residents of Savannah! Wednesday, Aug. 7 Historic City Tour and Lunch at Lady and Sons Mid-morning Tour A narrated trolley tour through Historic Savannah, where you will be entertained by stories of the colorful history of the city and see many beautifully buildings and beautiful parks. We will end with a stop for lunch at one of the most famous restaurants in town, Paula Deen s Lady and Sons. Bring your appetite and wear your loosest clothing for this one folks. Many of you will find you don t need dinner this night! Pub Crawl Evening Tour Our annual homage to the local bar scene will take place on River Street, which, true to its name runs for an entire mile along the Savannah River. This cobblestone street is lined with fun drinking establishments located in restored shipping warehouse buildings. Sample the widely varied bars that include an Irish pub, a British tavern and even the wildly popular Wet Willie s! An optional group dinner will be available to those who wish to partake. Return trips to the hotel will run at regular intervals between 11pm and closing time. Page 6 of 10
Thursday, Aug. 8 Tybee Island Morning Tour Savannah s neighboring beach community, Tybee Island will be our destination. Our tour will include a stop at the Lighthouse that has guided mariners safely into Savannah harbor for 270 years. The complex includes the Keepers Cottage and for energetic folks, a climb up the 178 steps to the top of the light for a spectacular view. We will also visit Fort Pulaski, which was built in the early 1800 s to guard our coast, but ultimately ended up being a major Civil War battle site. We will include lunch at the Crab Shack, Where The Elite Eat in their Bare Feet, an island favorite. Please wear comfortable shoes as you can expect considerable walking. Savannah Riverboat Dinner Cruise Evening Tour Join us for the event that has quickly become convention tradition.a dinner cruise! This adventure on one of the Savannah Riverboat paddlewheel boats will feature sightseeing from a different view of the city and its majestic skyline. A yummy dinner will be served and entertainment will be provided. It should be one great party! A cash bar will be available. Friday, Aug. 9 Bonaventure Cemetery Morning Tour Bonaventure Cemetery, made famous by its appearance in the novel, Midnight in The Garden of Good and Evil, has been a world famous tourist destination for more than 150 years. Experience the old tree-lined roadways, the many notable persons interred, the unique architecture, and the folklore associated with the site and the people. We will be led on a tour of this eerie, yet surprisingly pleasant graveyard with its old sculptures and markers, some going back to the mid 1700's, as we wander among the huge old oaks heavily draped with Spanish moss. This tour will include lots of walking. Please wear comfortable shoes as you can expect considerable walking. Air, Rail and Sea Museums Daytime Tour This is the perfect tour for transportation enthusiasts. The Mighty Eighth Air Force Museum, in nearby Pooler GA, honors the men and women from World War II to the present. The Roundhouse Railroad Museum is a National Historic Landmark site and is the oldest and largest existing 19 th century railroad operations complex in the nation. The Ships of the Sea Maritime Museum exhibits ship models, paintings and maritime antiques, primarily from the 18 th and 19 th centuries. Some time will be allotted to each museum. Baseball? If the Savannah Sand Gnats, a minor league affiliate of the New York Mets have a home game on a day that we can fit it into this busy schedule, we will try to put together a convention family outing to the game. This is subject to availability. We will publish information on this outing as soon as we see a schedule! Page 7 of 10
CONVENTION WEEKEND ACTIVITIES Friday, Aug. 9 PARROTS AND PIRATES NIGHT There will be plenty of Jimmy Buffett references and music as we celebrate the good life. Come dressed in your favorite pirate or Parrothead gear and enjoy dining and dancing the night away as we experience Changes in Latitudes and Changes in Attitudes. Make sure you bring your camera to capture that elusive fins up shot! We will begin by gathering for cocktails (featuring a cash bar), followed by a delicious dinner buffet (hmmm Cheeseburgers in Paradise??). More information will be published as it becomes available. Saturday, Aug. 10 BREAKFAST/GENERAL MEETING Breakfast will be available between 7 a.m. and 9 a.m., followed immediately by the general meeting where each NHLBC club will give a short presentation about their activities during the past season and what is planned for next season. We will then get an update from our hosts for the 2014 convention and presentations from clubs interested in hosting our 2015 gathering. DELEGATES MEETING The delegates meeting will begin approximately 30 minutes after the general meeting concludes. Lunch will be served to participants. CATHOLIC MASS Attendees will be given the opportunity to attend a Catholic Mass, either at the hotel or at the Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist, just down the street. Arrangements will be published as they become available. DINNER PARTY ARE YOU A REDNECK? Our banquet hall will become a Southern jamboree of fun and frolic as we celebrate the segment of our population who embrace their simpler side with Southern foods, silliness and sashaying around the dance floor. Don your best redneck themed get-up and join us for a rollicking goodtime. The evening will begin with cocktails (cash bar), gallop on to dinner, shimmy into the business part of the evening and two-step into an evening of boogying to the beat, until we have to hug one another and say see ya next year. SURVIVORS NIGHT You never know what will happen on Survivors night. But one thing is for sure, it is always entertaining. Stay up all night with our crazy group of veteran and rookie survivors playing games and whiling away the hours till breakfast. Earn a cool certificate and be part of the best group photo shoot of the week before seeking out your pillow for some well deserved rest. Sunday, Aug. 11 BREAKFAST Many hugs will be shared and tears will be shed as we gather one last time to eat breakfast and say our goodbyes to our NHLBCC family and start the count down till the next convention. Page 8 of 10
Convention Registration Form This Form Must Be Completed By Each Attendee Personal Information Last Name: First Name: Gender: M / F Street Address: Apt/Unit Number: City, State/Province, Zip/Postal Code: Home Phone: ( ) Cell Phone: ( ) E-mail: Club: Please list other Club Affiliations: Name for ID Badge: Number of Previous Conventions: Age on 08/01/2013 Emergency Contact Information (This must be someone not attending convention): Name Phone ( ) Arrival Information Arrival Date: Departure Date: Method of Travel: Flight Information (if applicable): Room Type (circle all that apply) Single $495 Double $390 Triple $350 No quad rooms (All amounts in U.S. dollars.) Children age 16 and younger sharing with parent $175 each Do you need a roommate? Do you need a handicap accessible room? YES NO Roommate Information Name: Club: Name: Club: Additional Information Dietary Restrictions: Information for Program: Include All Omit Address Omit Phone Omit Cell Omit E-mail Would you be interested in a book club discussion of Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil? Y N Page 9 of 10
LIABILITY WAIVER 43rd ANNUAL NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE BOOSTER CLUB CONVENTION HILTON SAVANNAH DESOTO SAVANNAH, GEORGIA AUGUST 9-11, 2013 This Form Must Be Completed By Each Registrant 18 Years of Age or Older for Admittance I,, hereby accept any and all responsibility for my actions and the actions of others within my control. I also accept responsibility for my actions and the actions of others within my control arising out of any act or failure to act as a direct and proximate cause of my consumption of alcoholic beverages. I hereby absolve and hold harmless the Atlanta Flames Fan Club and its board of directors, or any other social host and I accept full and complete responsibility for my actions and their results occasioned by my voluntary consumption of alcoholic beverages. I am the parent or guardian for the following minor(s) attending NHLBCC 2013: I accept responsibility for the actions and behavior of the above minor(s). I understand the legal drinking age in the state of Georgia is 21 years of age. Registrant s Signature: Witness: Date: Please submit this form along with Registration Form. Page 10 of 10